Exosome IV: the one I tried to see how it compared with stem cells

I’ve had IV stem cells for ten years. Exosomes kept coming up in the same conversations, usually as “the lighter version”, and I wanted to know for myself whether they were really any different. I’ve had an exosome IV once. This page covers what happened, how it compared with my stem cells, and what I was told before I sat down.

Why I tried it

Exosomes come from the same kind of cells I already have infused, so my question was simple: would I feel a difference? That was the whole reason. I wasn’t trying to fix anything. The rule this site runs on still applied (we don’t offer anything we haven’t tried on ourselves first), but this time I also had a comparison in mind.

What I was told exosomes are

The explanation I was given is that exosomes are tiny messenger vesicles, about 30–150 nanometres across, which mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release naturally. They carry growth factors, cytokines, peptides, RNA and proteins. These are the signals cells use to talk to each other and support repair. An exosome IV doesn’t put live cells into the body. It delivers only the signals. I was also told that, unlike stem cells, exosomes carry no DNA of their own and don’t replicate.

Here is what went into mine, as it was described to me:

Purified in a laboratory from MSC cultures at an early passage (passage 2–4). At that stage the cells haven’t been worn down by being copied over and over.
The cells are encouraged to release exosomes gently. They aren’t put under stress and aren’t genetically modified.
Screened for viruses and other pathogens before use.
Stored frozen at −20°C to keep them stable. They aren’t living cells, so freezing doesn’t mean here what it means for stem cells.
About 250 billion particles per session, diluted in saline to roughly 150 ml, and given as a sterile IV drip under a doctor’s supervision.

The day, the next morning, and after

The drip took about an hour. The first thing I noticed, straight away, was sleepiness. It was heavier than after my stem cell sessions. It felt like my body wanted to shut down and rest so it could repair, and I let it.

The next morning I woke up feeling fresh and with more energy. That came quicker than it does with my stem cells.

Apart from the sleepiness, I had no side effects.

How it compared with my stem cells

The sleep was heavier and the lift came faster. But the overall change was smaller than what stem cells give me. It’s also what I’ve seen in the people I’ve met who have had both, and three of them described the same sleepiness afterwards.

That is one session set against ten years of stem cells. My comparison isn’t the same sentence as yours.

What I was told about the two, side by side

The explanation I was given:

Live cells: stem cells, yes. Exosomes, no.
Replicate in the body: stem cells, temporarily. Exosomes, no.
Usually used for: stem cells for joint pain, lung disease and chronic inflammation. Exosomes for hair loss and skin.
When changes tend to show: stem cells, 2–6 weeks. Exosomes, 1–4 weeks.
How involved it is: stem cells need more preparation and aftercare. Exosomes are a simpler outpatient visit.

I was also told how people tend to land on one or the other:

Stem cells: people with moderate to severe conditions such as osteoarthritis, lung fibrosis or post-COVID problems; people after longer-term, whole-body support for ageing or chronic issues; people wanting the option with potential for structural repair; and people open to a cell-based treatment under a doctor’s oversight.
Exosomes: people wanting a lower-risk, non-cellular option; people dealing with milder skin ageing or hair loss; people wanting a quicker recovery with fewer medical evaluations; and people looking for something to add alongside other treatments.

The way it was put to me, they aren’t competitors. They’re two tools. Which one fits you is a doctor’s call, not mine.

What I was told it may help with

The explanation I was given is that research suggests MSC exosomes may:

support tissue repair and cell regeneration
modulate inflammation
support immune balance
support the conditions for blood-vessel and nerve healing
support recovery from wear and tear and from age-related decline

They’re being studied in wound healing, neurology, cardiology, inflammation and tissue regeneration. Clinical trials are running around the world. The results are encouraging, but the research is still going on. It’s regenerative medicine, not standard hospital treatment. It isn’t a cure for disease, and it doesn’t replace conventional medical care.

I was told it’s usually considered by adults looking for support with:

ageing well
chronic inflammation or fatigue
degenerative or long-standing conditions
recovery after illness or stress
joint, nerve or tissue degeneration
general wellness

What I was told to expect: most people start to notice changes within 3–5 days and keep improving over the following weeks. How much depends on age, health, lifestyle and the number of treatments. For me it was the next morning. Everyone is different.

Before the drip, and who it isn’t for

Nobody goes straight to the drip. There’s a medical screening first. The doctor decides the plan from your history, and from lab results if they’re needed. Usually no lab tests are required beforehand. Most programmes I was told about are 1–3 sessions, and the doctor sets how many and how far apart.

What I was told rules it out:

active cancer
autoimmune disease, such as lupus (SLE)
pregnancy or breastfeeding
an active infection or a high fever
a severe allergic reaction happening at the time
strong immunosuppressive medication

The side effects I was told about: most people tolerate it well. Some may get fatigue, a mild headache, a flu-like feeling, or soreness where the IV went in. Serious side effects are rare, and they’re discussed before treatment. For me, it was sleepiness and nothing else.

Questions I get asked

How long does it take?
About an hour, in my case.

Can it be combined with NAD+ or vitamin drips?
I was told yes, but timing matters, and the doctor may space some infusions apart. I have NAD+ in rounds.

Can you do stem cells and exosomes together?
I was told many people combine them. I’ve had both, and the comparison above is how they felt to me. If you want to see what the stem cell day itself is like, it’s on what to expect.

Will I feel younger?
I didn’t feel younger. I woke up the next morning feeling fresh and with more energy, and that’s as far as my own experience goes.

Can I see the lab certificate?
I was told the certificates aren’t posted online, but you can see the certificate of analysis in person at the consultation.

Why have you only done it once?
Because it’s always here, and I don’t always find the hour to sit down for it, so I put it off. That’s the honest reason. Nothing went wrong.

If you want to hear more about how one exosome session felt next to ten years of stem cells, message me.

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More: Stem cells · NAD+ · NAD+ & more

Reference
Caplan AI. Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Time to Change the Name! Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2017;6(6):1445–1451.

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I’m George. Thirty years in business, then ten years trying this whole field on myself before offering it to anyone else.

This is where I write down what I use, what I stopped using, and what I’d never do again. More about me →

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